MyMedR

The value of cytology in granulomatous mastitis: a report of 16 cases from Malaysia

Yip CH, Jayaram G, Swain M

Aust N Z J Surg, 2000 Feb;70(2):103-5.

BACKGROUND: Granulomatous mastitis is a rare condition of the breast that can mimic a carcinoma. There are characteristic histological features, the most important of which is a predominantly lobular inflammatory process. It must be differentiated from known causes of granulomatous inflammation, such as tuberculosis.

METHODS: In the present paper, the clinical and pathological features of 16 patients with granulomatous mastitis seen over a 3-year period in the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, are described.

RESULTS: A clinical suspicion of malignancy was present in 10 cases. One of the patients was nulliparous. One had an associated hyperprolactinaemia, while two had systemic lupus erythromatosis. One of the patients was pregnant at the time of presentation. Four patients had localized lumps excised, five were treated conservatively because the lesion was too extensive to resect, and seven patients required drainage procedures for abscess formation.

CONCLUSION: Awareness of this condition is important because it mimics a carcinoma, and surgery may not be the best treatment for recurrent disease.

Zuckerkandl's tubercle of the thyroid gland in association with pressure symptoms: a coincidence or consequence?

Hisham AN, Aina EN

Aust N Z J Surg, 2000 Apr;70(4):251-3.

PMID: 10779054

BACKGROUND: The Zuckerkandl's tubercle (ZT) of the thyroid gland is a well-described anatomical landmark, but few studies have clearly defined its association with pressure symptoms.

METHODS: Sixty-six consecutive patients who had primary thyroid surgery were prospectively included in the present study between late January and early August 1998.

RESULTS: A total of 96 capsular dissections were performed at thyroid surgery. Grades two and three ZT were recognized in 77 (80.2%) dissections. In general 49 (63.6%) of them were associated with significant pressure symptoms. In 43 (87.8%) of the dissections with pressure symptoms, grade 3 ZT was observed (mean weight of goitre: 154.8 g). Interestingly in this group, 16 (37.2%) patients with pressure symptoms had a goitre that was < 100 g and in one patient it was only 21 g.

CONCLUSIONS: The pressure symptom of the thyroid gland does not always appear to be due to the large size of the goitre. In a relatively small-size goitre the ZT may cause significant pressure symptoms. Observations in the present study supported a strong association of enlarged ZT with pressure symptoms. We believe this is unlikely to be simply a coincidence but rather a consequence of the enlarged tubercle. Nonetheless a prospective randomized study is called for to allow meaningful and objective evidence to be drawn.

Beware the undescended testis and abdominal mass

Koh KB

Aust N Z J Surg, 1996 Dec;66(12):851-3.

PMID: 8996073

We report five patients who presented with seminoma of an undescended testis to highlight the importance of dealing with adult cryptorchidism. On the basis of the literature review and our experience, we advocate orchidectomy for post-pubertal cryptorchid patients of any age because follow-up may be difficult, and treatment for the tumour may be unsuccessful.

Testicular torsion

Koh KB, Dublin N, Light T

Aust N Z J Surg, 1995 Sep;65(9):645-6.

PMID: 7575294

A retrospective review of 80 patients who underwent scrotal exploration for presumed testicular torsion is presented. Of these, 67 patients were found to have torsion, and the testicular loss rate was 51%. Patients who experienced delays in scrotal exploration of more than 24 h from onset of symptoms had a testicular loss rate of 71%. These delays arose from both hesitation in seeking medical treatment and misdiagnoses. It is emphasized that an acute scrotum in a child or in an adolescent should be explored early to exclude torsion.

Severe head injury management in a general surgical department

Visvanathan R

Aust N Z J Surg, 1994 Aug;64(8):527-9.

PMID: 8048888

Sixty-nine severely head-injured patients treated by general surgeons over a 28 month period with admission Glasgow Coma Scale motor scores of 3 to 8 were reviewed retrospectively. Fifty-one patients were comatose on admission with periods from injury to admission exceeding 4 h in 34 patients who were referred from peripheral hospitals. Forty patients with acute intracranial bleeding underwent emergency decompressive surgery with 13 good recoveries and 18 deaths; good recoveries were observed in 11 of 20 patients with extradural haemorrhages, one out of eight patients with subdural haemorrhages, and one of 12 patients with intracerebral and/or combined haemorrhages. Twenty-nine patients with no evidence of acute mass lesions were treated medically with sedation, mechanical ventilation and mannitol infusion for cerebral decompression with seven good recoveries and 16 deaths. There were 15 good outcomes in 40 patients with admission motor scores of 6, 7 or 8 and five good outcomes in 29 patients with scores of 3, 4 or 5. A good outcome of 29% in the study may be improved by (i) better neurosurgical training of surgical and nursing staff; (ii) provision of technologically advanced diagnostic and treatment modalities; (iii) an efficient referral system; and (iv) provision of effective long-term rehabilitation.

Neurotrauma without neurosurgeons?

Simpson D

Aust N Z J Surg, 1994 Aug;64(8):525-6.

PMID: 8048887

Retroperitoneal malignant fibrous histiocytoma causing profuse bleeding per rectum

Sim PH, Pathmanathan R, Jalleh RP

Aust N Z J Surg, 1995 Jan;65(1):68-70.

PMID: 7818432

A case is reported of retroperitoneal malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) invading into the colon, causing fresh bleeding per rectum. It illustrates the difficulty encountered in the pre-operative diagnosis of this condition, especially in a patient with an atypical presentation of profuse lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Fulminant amoebic colitis causing a colonic mucosal tube

Kyaw K

Aust N Z J Surg, 1994 Jan;64(1):67-9.

PMID: 8267547

A state-wide campaign for the early detection of cancer in Sabah

Oommen RM

Aust N Z J Surg, 1994 Jan;64(1):22-3.

PMID: 8267532

The Medical Department of Sabah, in collaboration with various governmental and non-governmental agencies and 'Surgeons International' conducted a state-wide campaign for the 'Early Detection of Cancer' over a period of 3 months from July 1992. The purpose of the campaign was to educate the population about the early signs and symptoms of common cancers, to remove the myth that cancer was incurable and to impress on the public the need to detect cancer early for a possible cure and a better prognosis.

Thymolipoma

Majid AA

Aust N Z J Surg, 1992 Jan;62(1):74-6.

PMID: 1731742

Although the diagnosis of thymolipoma has improved with the introduction of computerized tomography (CT), variations in CT appearance are still being described; this paper describes a case which resembled a lipoma. The CT features of thymolipoma are discussed with special reference to the differential diagnosis. Surgical excision should be considered for patients who are found to exhibit a fatty intrathoracic mass on CT.

Fatal haemoperitoneum due to rupture of hepatic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma

Wong KT, Khir AS, Noori S, Peh SC

Aust N Z J Surg, 1994 Feb;64(2):128-9.

PMID: 8291977

Delayed traumatic extradural haematomas

Chandrasekaran S, Zainal J

Aust N Z J Surg, 1993 Oct;63(10):780-3.

PMID: 8274120

A total of 76 patients with traumatic extradural haematoma were treated within a period of 3 years. Four patients developed delayed extradural haematomas. These cases are reported in view of the unusual sequence and the importance of early diagnosis.

Massive epistaxis from traumatic aneurysm of the internal carotid artery

Saim L, Rejab E, Hamzah M, Sakijan S, Selvapragasam T

Aust N Z J Surg, 1993 Nov;63(11):906-10.

PMID: 8216074

Intracavernous carotid artery aneurysm following head injury is a rare occurrence. Two such cases presenting with delayed but massive and repeated epistaxis are reported and the literature reviewed. The first case required a trapping procedure while the second case had only cervical carotid ligation to control the bleeding. Both resulted in no neurological sequelae.

Neutropenic enterocolitis treated by primary resection with anastomosis in a leukaemic patient receiving chemotherapy

Anderson PE

Aust N Z J Surg, 1993 Jan;63(1):74-6.

PMID: 8466468

Neutropenic enterocolitis is a complication of patients receiving chemotherapy for malignant disease. It has a characteristic presentation and may lead to gut perforation with consequent high mortality. It is best treated by early surgical intervention. Considerable mortality is inevitable in these gravely ill patients.

The abdominal cocoon

Yip FW, Lee SH

Aust N Z J Surg, 1992 Aug;62(8):638-42.

PMID: 1642584

Since it was first described in 1978 the abdominal cocoon continues to be a rare cause of intestinal obstruction. So far this rare condition where the small intestine is encased in a fibrous membrane has been reported only in females. Diagnosis is usually made at laparotomy and the treatment of choice is lysis of adhesions. Proper recognition of this benign condition will result in the correct management of it and prevent unnecessary bowel resections. Five new cases including one male patient, together with a review of previous reports in the English literature, are presented.

Bilateral plasma cell granuloma (inflammatory pseudotumour) of the breast

Yip CH, Wong KT, Samuel D

Aust N Z J Surg, 1997 May;67(5):300-2.

PMID: 9152166

Plasma cell granuloma of the breast is an extremely rare condition. Only one other case has been reported in the literature. We report here the second case of plasma cell granuloma of the breast. After the initial excision, the lesion recurred in both breasts after 5 months.

Ultrasound screening of the abdominal aorta in Malaysians

Teoh MK, Ramasamy D, Wong KP

Aust N Z J Surg, 1992 Nov;62(11):862-5.

PMID: 20169704

Ultrasound examination of the abdominal aorta was performed on 100 patients with cardiovascular disease and a control group of 100 subjects. The objectives were to define the normal aortic size of Malaysians, to screen for aneurysms and to compare the aorta size of the different population groups. In the study group the mean anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the non-aneurysmal aortas at the level of the renal arteries was 1.82 cm (range 0.9-2.6 cm) in men and 1.83 cm (range 1.5-2.3 cm) in women. This compares with 1.61 cm (range 1.1-2.2 cm) in men and 1.50 cm (range 0.8-2.4 cm) in women in the control group. The dimensions of the infrarenal aorta show a similar relationship between the two groups. These AP diameters were significantly smaller than the published figures from studies done on Western populations and are consistent with the smaller stature of Malaysians. Five aneurysms and one ectasia were found (mean size 5 cm, range 3.5-6.0 cm), all in men aged 50-75 years in the study group, and none in the control group. All the aneurysms were easily palpable in these patients who were thinner than the average Caucasian. Given the lower incidence of aortic aneurysms in Malaysians there is no role for routine ultrasound screening of the population. High risk groups can be adequately screened by clinical examination alone.

Fournier's gangrene: its aetiology and management

Thambi Dorai CR, Kandasami P

Aust N Z J Surg, 1991 May;61(5):370-2.

PMID: 2025192

The clinical features and management of 12 patients with Fournier's gangrene are described. The patients differed from the usual description of Fournier's gangrene in that they were older, the disease had a less abrupt onset and a definite predisposing factor was identified in 10 of the 12 patients. The importance of early diagnosis and excision of necrotic tissue is emphasized.

Successful surgical management of a case of pulmonary and pericardial melioidosis

Majid AA

Aust N Z J Surg, 1990 Feb;60(2):139-41.

PMID: 2327916

A 35 year old diabetic presented with features of septicaemia and developed cardiac tamponade. He was found to have pulmonary, acute septicaemic and pericardial melioidosis. Some initial improvement was achieved with medical therapy but only with surgical intervention was a successful outcome achieved.

Basal skull fractures. A prospective study of 100 consecutive admissions

Chee CP, Ali A

Aust N Z J Surg, 1991 Aug;61(8):597-602.

PMID: 1867613

A prospective study of 100 consecutive patients with basal skull fracture admitted to the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur between July 1986 and October 1988 was carried out to study its epidemiological pattern, clinical and radiological presentations, mechanisms of injury, time interval between accidents and neurosurgical referrals, complications and outcomes. Two-thirds of the patients were between 20 and 50 years old and 79% were male. Half of the injured were motorcyclists and 22% were pedestrians. Three-quarters of the patients were seen within an hour after injury. Thirty-two patients had intracranial haematomas: 14 subdural, 9 extradural and 9 intracerebral. Three patients developed meningitis (two after operations) and six developed epilepsy. Eighteen patients died, but good recovery resulted in 70 patients at follow-up of 1 to 28 months. A small subgroup of 15 patients with severe ear and nose bleeding as a result of basal venous sinus tear died within a few hours despite aggressive resuscitation, probably due to underlying severe brain stem injury. The implication of the high incidence of basal skull fractures in motorcyclists, despite the enforcement of crash helmets is discussed, with possible mechanisms proposed.

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